Lightning also illuminated the mountainous jungle habitat of the Wood Spirits. The wind raced through the trees, causing them to sway back and forth. Then the rain started falling, pattering onto the leaves in the huge basin.6

Within that wind and rain, an anguished howl echoed out, piercing through the sky, causing anyone who heard it to feel their scalp tingling. It was a cry of deep anguish and heart-rending grief. As it rose from within the Wood Spirit’s basin, neither the thunder, nor the wind, nor the rain could stifle it.0

A bolt of lightning fell, revealing a figure with disheveled hair racing frenziedly out of Wood Spirit territory.3

It was an old man. His eyes were bloodshot and tears streamed down his cheeks. A bitter smile twisted his face, and he struggled to stop himself from trembling as he sped toward the county capital with all the speed he could muster.29

***1

The rain fell in torrents all night. Around dawn, it let up a bit. A haze of water vapor obscured everything. It was almost as if the light of dawn was sick, making it seem more like evening...0